A Week in the "Big Easy"

Terry and I just got back from a wonderful week in New Orleans over the Labor Day holiday. We had such a wonderful time in the city they call the "Big Easy." We left Friday morning, and were on the road for the 8 hour drive from Dallas to New Orleans. It was a really pretty drive through the pine forests of East Texas and Louisiana. You also go over some really long bridges that span the swamps and bayou's of southern Louisiana, and it's creepy because if you wrecked there is no where to go but into the swamp. We stayed in a condominium in the French Quarter of New Orleans. The room wasn't like a Marriott condo, but it worked for us just fine (except the single pane windows that let in all the sounds of the crazy street into the room.)

You can tell the french quarter is 300 years old. The streets are narrow, the buildings are old, and very unique. It's certainly not the cleanest looking either, but that lends to the gritty nature of the city. Everyone there was warm and friendly, and had a very easy southern charm. You can also still see some effects of hurricane Katrina. The French Quarter was spared alot of the flooding (it's actually on higher ground), but there are still some trashed buildings, next to fixed up ones. Outside of the quarter, there is still ALOT of work that needs to be done to rebuild the city.

New Orleans also has some amazing food. I had the best cajun food I have ever tasted. We sampled the Gumbo, Seafood, Jambalaya, and a Catfish PoBoy sandwich (however I refused to try the oysters on the halfshell, looked like snot!!!). There are a ton of quaint local spots where the food is amazing, and everyone is in the party mood and laughing and having fun. It's so fun to just walk in the french quarter and smell the food from the restaurants, hear the jazz music coming out of the clubs, see the people hustling about.

New Orleans is the place to be if you like crazy nightlife and having fun. Well then there is Bourbon Street! Everything you hear about it is true, and more. It is lined with bars and more bars, ladies of the evening, sex shops, and everything else. It is wall to wall people, beads flying off the balconies, crazy people in costumes, and everything you can imagine going on all night long. It is truly an interesting sight to behold, and everyone there is out to have a good time.

Over Labor Day weekend there is the "Southern Decadence" festival in the French Quarter. It is New Orleans gay festival of the year. Sure enough there were thousands and thousands of gay people there from all over the country. This city knows how to throw a party. The police (which unfortunately aren't usually very gay friendly) even were incredibly nice. We got lost one night and wandered by 2 police men. They were so nice and could tell we were lost and were going to end up in a not so great neighborhood. We ended up chatting with them for a few minutes and they told us about the city, and Katrina, and showed us how to get back to Bourbon Street. They even let us know at what times Bourbon Street was the most fun. The cops in Dallas don't do that!!! We always felt safe, there were Police everywhere, and they just let people have fun and just made sure nothing too crazy happened. It was so much fun hanging out in the Gay area of Bourbon Street during Southern Decadence. It turned into one big street dance for a couple blocks. You couldn't help but dance and just watch all the people. Of course it was hot and rained most nights, but you didn't care and just partied away with all the other soaking wet guys out there. Heck I even lost a shirt somewhere on Bourbon Street, oh well nobody had one on anyhow I fit right in. I just have a really great memory of looking down Bourbon Street and seeing a sea of thousands of gay men smiling and having fun, and the wonderful feeling of being with "my people."

It's funny, but even the condo we stayed at turned into a big social party. The first night there Terry and I went up to the rooftop balcony to have a drink and look out over the streets. Well a group at another table told us to join them, and pretty soon everyone else in the place were all sitting around the patio laughing and having fun. Everyone was friendly and inclusive as there were gay couples, straight couples, single people, everything. Every night like clockwork around 7:00 we'd all show up and hang out on the patio. We met some great people from all around the country. I even ran into a lady from Las Vegas that grew up in Brigham City, and went to Lincoln School like I did. We both about died when we found that out. What a small word it can be.

We also did a little sight-seeing while we were there during the day. New Orleans still has the old electric trolly street cars running as public transportation. We rode the St.Charles St streetcar around New Orleans, and that was really pretty cool. The cars really do "clang, clang" down the track. Heck one time we went around the corner and the bar on top of the car fell off the electric line, and the driver had to get out and put it back up on the wire, crazy!! One of the cars really is named "desire" as well (of the "Streetcar Named Desire" fame.) The line goes by some fabulous old southern mansions, and by Tulane and Loyola Universities. There are some beautiful old streets lined with hundred year old oaks. You truly can feel the history of such an old unique city. Their cemetaries are also really interesting. Everyone has to be buried above groud as the water table is too high. So it's just hundreds of year old masoleums and really something interesting to see.

Well anyhow that is a little snapshot of our vacation to New Orleans. We loved the city, and the experiences we had. Now for a few pictures:

Parade in the French Quarter

Looking down Bourbon Street in the daytime

More French Quarter views

Me by the streetcar named Desire on the St. Charles street trolly line

The old trolly line which is still used as public transportation

Me eating a Beignet (powdered sugar scone thing) and Chicory Coffe at Cafe Du Monde

Terry at the Cathedral in Jackson Square in the French Quarter

Kidney Stone Fun!!

I had a pretty interesting month of July. It all started one day at the end of June. I was at work in the morning, and I just started feeling wierd and sweating profusely, and had a stomach cramp. So of course I told the boss I was heading home because I didn't feel well. Well I got on the interstate and suddenly I had a stabbing, throbbing, pain in my side that was so intense I couldn't beleive it. It was all I could do not to double over, or blank out. Luckily I was able to get myself off the road and exit to a parking lot. I called Terry to come and get me and take me to the emergency room, which he did. I knew exactly what is was: the dreaded kidney stone!!! Thankfully it wasn't too far to the hospital. The worst part is that they have all these procedures to check you into the ER. So I'm sitting in a chair wrything in massive pain, and the poor nurse is trying to get me to stay still to take vitals. Of course when she asked me from 1 to 10 what was my pain level, I scream out 11 !!!! Well all was well after 2 shots of Morphine, and a cat scan (I even apologized to the nurse for cussing in front of her from the crazy pain). Seems I was trying to deliver a 6 milimeter bouncing baby kidney stone. That size is right on the top end of the threshold of being able to pass it on your own. They decided to send me home with painkillers and that it would pass on it's own. Well so I thought that would be that and I was done with it all. WRONG!!!

3 visits to the Urologist over the next 4 weeks resulted in the same thing, a stuck kidney stone. On the last visit this Thursday the doctor just looks at me and pretty much said "look this thing isn't going anywhere, you need surgery and that is just how it is." So I sucked it up and said "let's do it", and the stars all lined up and he was able to fit in the surgery the next day at 7:30am. Needless to say I scrambled to get time off work, get testing done, and get ready for the big day.

There is a reason I went a month before deciding to do surgery. The procedure is called "laser lithotripsy." It involves a big scope, and laser inserted "you know where" up the urinary tract through the bladder and up the ureter tube toward the kidney. Then they fire up the laser and blast away the stone. Then they get all the pieces out, and insert a tube from the kidney to the bladder, and you have that in for a couple days while the ureter tube heals up from the trauma of the stone and laser. Thankfully the procedure is done under full anasthesia. Of course any man would be VERY leery of any surgery happening down in that area. Man I was nervous. Well so I was off to surgery!!!

Here I am the morning of the surgery, pointing to the pain area!! (wasn't Terry nice to drag the camera out!!!)


And here I am after that lovely procedure all zoned out on heavy drugs!!

Well everything went fine, and the stone is gone. I am still very sore down there, and it's uncomfortable feeling that stupid tube still stuck there. Thankfully I get that removed tomorrow (not sure how fun that will be as I'll be awake for that one.) I will be so glad when this all is done. I just wanna feel normal and not have a constant pain in my side. I think I'll be there in a couple days, and I can' wait!! I'm sure Terry is ready to stop playing "nurse" too!! So there you have my fabulous month! Let's hope August goes better!!

Brian Goes To Cowtown!

Terry and I had a wonderful 4th of July Weekend.

It's kind of funny but we haved lived here in Dallas for 2 years and never ever had been to Fort Worth. This city is so big that we just never ventured that far west (how crazy it that!!). So on our friday off work for the holiday we made a trip west to Fort Worth. It's kinda funny but Fort Worth is known as "Cow Town." It is famous for it's stockyards, and the famous Texas longhorn cattle they used to run in the streets (oh and let's not forget the cowboys too!!!). Actually it has a very large downtown with skyscrapers and wonderful old buildings. It also has a much cleaner and more vibrant downtown than Dallas. We were pleasantly suprised at all the fun restaurants and bars that are all in the square dowtown. Everything does have a western touch in Forth Worth, but I managed to get away without buying a cowboy hat and boots. We didn't make it to the stockyards museum, but we drove by (we were hot and needing a break from the 102 degree heat!!). We did visit an amazing watergarden in the downtown area. One part had this Giant fountain thing that you walked down into. You kind of felt like you were in a giant toilet bowl. All that water made you wanna pee too! If was really amazing and cool though.

Me and a cow made out of flowers in downtown Fort Worth

A really cool mural downtown

Me at the water gardens

The giant fountain you get to walk down into!

Another view of the fountain

Yet another view of the fountain!

Well on our way back from Forth Worth we decided to stop by downtown Dallas, and the Smart dealership. We had ordered a cute little Smart car from them over a year ago (the actual wait list was 18 months!!) They called us about a month ago and said they had one coming in that might match the one we ordered. Anyhow we stopped by to look at the car. Well a couple hours later we drove off in a brand new black and blue Smart car! WOW we just love that car. It is crazy small looking on the outside, but 6'2" Terry and 5'11" me fit in there just fine. We have found it's a car that people just love or really hate. We get lots of looks and funny stares. It gets over 40 miles per gallon so it's a great commuter car for us (not to mention it's built by Mercedes Benz, so it's got good quality too).

Me and Terry and the new edition to our family, a SMART car.

Holy Cow, Terry fits inside!!!

Well so that was our Friday! Saturday on the 4th we went over to our friend Todd and Bill's house. Todd's 2 kids and dad and stepmom were all in town, so it was a big ol fun group. Our dear friends Jerry, Mike, Karen, Jeannie were there too. Bill grilled up some serious fillet mignon tenderloins that were so good. We all ate WAY too much, and topped the night off with some decadent blue-bell ice cream. Course it wouldn't be the 4th without some watermelon too. It was so hot outside still that we all even jumped in the pool for a while. Well needless to say we had a crazy fun weekend. Thanks to everyone who helped us have a great big fun 4th of July!!

Idaho and Utah Trip

Terry and I finally made a trip back to Utah and Idaho to see family and friends. It has been 2 years since we moved, and well I guess it was time to see everyone again. Thanks to Bob for letting us put a ton of miles on his lovely Lexus. We were spoiled for sure. Here is our crazy week:

Saturday we flew into Salt Lake City, picked up the car that Bob so generously let us use, and headed north 4 hours to Blackfoot Idaho. We met all of Terry's 4 kids and their families. We tried to have a bar-b-que outside, but got rained out (a common theme this trip.) So we all piled into the church house cultural hall. All the kids were having fun running around with each other and playing ball. We grilled hamburgers and hot-dogs and had a great time catching up with everyone, and meeting new additions to the family. Anne also made us play fun games, and it wasn't clear who the winner was (there could have been some cheating, who knows???) We then stayed that night at Terry's sisters house. (Barbara and Jerry).

Sunday we had a wonderful homemade breakfast with Barbara and Jerry. Terry's neice Lisa also came by. We always have fun with Lisa, and really enjoyed catching up with her. She even showed Terry and I how to play the nintendo Wii. We got a huge laugh playing bowling. Barbara chucked the game controller right into the TV and the darn game gave her a strike and she won! It was alot of fun. Later that afternoon we met all of Terry's kids at a park in Pocatello. They had fixed some wonderful chicked fajita's and we all ate way too much. The kids all played together, and Terry and I pushed them around the merry-go-round. I don't know how those kids didn't get sick. There was lots of laughs and fun times shared. Of course the rain clouds appeared and we had to make a run to Anne's house. We hung out there for a while and talked. Then it was back to Barbara & Jerry's. Here are some pictures from the park.

Terry and his kids. Wonder where they got that bald head from?
Terry's family

Monday we got up and Lisa and Barbara made us go on a 4 mile bike ride to breakfast. It was great cool weather to bike in, and it was good exercise. The reward at the end was wonderful down home breakfast cooked at the local diner. We loved it. Lisa even let Terry and I try out her way fancy new mountain bike. Seriously it was SOOOOOO nice, and easy to ride. I think she is spoiled.

Here is the gang all ready for our bike ride to breakfast

Monday afternoon we left Blackfoot Idaho and headed south. We went to my grandpa and grandma Gibbs house in Stoddard Utah. It was so good to see them. We had such a wonderful visit with them. It is so pretty there in Stoddard. Their land with the horses and mountains in the background is so nice. Their yard and garden were all looking so nice. Grandma always has such pretty flowers and hanging baskets. I'm so glad I got to see them and catch up on things.

Grandpa and Grandma Gibbs in Stoddard

We then left Stoddard and went to West Valley City to see my dad and his wife Yen and their son Johnathon. Man that kid is a bundle of energy. He was all over the place showing us his toys and everything. Dad and Yen have done up their yard so nice. We were so impressed, and his roses were so beautiful. They have really done a great job with the yard. We had a wonderful meal at Golden Corrall with them later, and had fun catching up on everything.

My Dad, Johnathon, and Yen at their house

Tuesday we headed 2 hours south to Ephraim Utah to see Terry's mom Elaine. It always is a pretty drive through Nephi canyon and the Sanpete Valley. We had a nice visit with Terry's mom. Of course we had to do a few chores for her too (trimming the bushes, mowing the lawn, and planting some flowers).

Wednesday morning in Ephraim we met our dear friend Martha & her friend Paula at the bowling alley there in town for Breakfast. Our favorite lady was cooking there that day so we all met for good down home cooking and lots of laughs. It always fun to hear the latest about the town and laugh about good times from the past. We loved hanging out in the morning with them.

Our friend and Ephraim tour guide Martha (with Nancy the grey caddilac)

We went around town visiting all the other folks Terry knew and had a great day. Later on that evening Terry and I and his Aunt MaryLee, cousin Becky and her girls and his mom all got together and played some serious cards (Hearts), and Zonk. MaryLee won them all for some reason except Becky got a win in there in the end. We had lots of laughs as usual and a great time.

Thursday we spent some more time with Terry's mom and enjoyed spending the morning with her. Later that day we headed back up to Bountiful, Utah and met up with my Mom and Sister Julie and her 3 kids from Spokane, Washington. It was fun to see all the nephews that I haven't seen in a while. I can't belevie that my oldest Nephew is 18 and going to BYU, dang I'm old!!!

Terry and his mom Elaine in Ephraim

Friday we all got up had some yummy pancakes at mom's house. We got all our salads ready, and headed up north to see my Aunt and Uncle Miriam & Craig in North Ogden, Utah. It was also a nice suprise to see my cousin Emily, and her husband Brett, and her kids. I never get to see them, and they are such a cute family. I also got to see my other cousing Aly, and I was so excited to talk to her too. Grandma and Grandpa Gibbs also stopped by too. We spent a few hours catching up with everyone. We also got a tour of my Aunts house, and she really has done a ton of work to it and it looks so cute. It's alot different than when my family lived in the home. They really have updated it and added such nice things to it. Well then we were off to Hyde Park to see my brother Jim. It was also really nice to see him and his family again as well. It isn't very often that me, my brother, and sister are all together. Jim was so nice to cook up some big ol steaks on the grill. We ate way too much and the kids played and roughhoused all over the place. Of course we did all the catching up and laughed about the fun things we've done. We felt bad for Jim as a cup got flushed down his toilet and he had to fix that. (glad you got it out!!!) We then drove on back up to Bountiful and crashed at my mom's house. We were tired from a big day.

Cousin Aly (with a cute new black hair), and Aunt Meriam



Cousin Emily, and her husband Brett (aren't they just a cute couple)

Me and my whole family (missing 2 grandkids, and one husband)


Brother Jim, Sister Julie, and Me

Saturday we got up and headed out to the airport and off to Dallas. We had a minor 1 hour delay but arrived back in Dallas in one piece. It was hot (100 degrees and humid) when we got back. We got home and jumped in our pool when we got home. It felt SOOOO good. So there you have our crazy 2 state weeklong trip. Whew....I need a vacation from the vacation!!!! Thank you everyone who we saw and made our trip so special we love you all!!!!!

May Days

Well I figured I better update my blog once again. Man sometimes I have to really think hard to come up with stuff to blog about. I guess I should be grateful that I have a low drama life right now. Terry and I both still have good jobs, good health, and a roof over our heads. So here is the latest update for us.

We've been feeling a bit like we are living in Seattle these past few weeks. It's been rainstorm after rainstorm, and gray skies. When a thunderstorm rolls through this part of the country it's crazy. You haven't seen it rain until you see a Texas thunderstorm. It comes down in sheets of water and roads sidewalks and everything floods. When it's not raining it's MUGGY with high humidity and hot temperatures, but no sun! I'm ready for some bright and sunny weather. Pool season is here in Dallas and I've got no tan. Oh well I'm sure I'll be complaining that it's too dry in a few months. One benefit from all the moisture is it is so green here now. The lawn looks fabulous!

Terry and I also celebrated Cinco De Mayo (5th of May Mexican holiday) here this last week. Of course all the mexican food restaurants have events on that day. We went to the Blue Goose Mexican restaurant and cantina and had a fun time. Everyone was in a festive mood, the margarita's were cheap, and the food was SPICY and delicious!! Of course Terry and I were out of there once the Cabo Wabo Tequila Girls showed up. Big busted girls falling out of their skimpy costumes doesn't do much for us, however the other male patrons at the restaurant were more than thrilled, their wives and girlfriends, not so much!

This weekend we went to the "Taste of Addison" festival. Addison is a suburb just west of us here in Dallas (really only a mile from our house.) The city is pretty much a whole bunch of nice upscale restaurants and clubs, and a few mom and pop places too. So at this festival all of the restaurants get toghether in a big park in Addison. They each have booths where you can try a sample of their foods (for a few bucks). Terry once again got us free tickets (he's so good and doing that!) So we had fun sampling way too much food from the different restaurants in town. There was a ton of people there all having fun, so we had fun hanging out and people watching too. They also have a huge stage set up where bands play, and people can sit and have a drink. The main band playing that night was Foreigner (you people from the 80's should know who that is). Terry and I must be getting old as we got hot and tired (it was 89 degrees at 10:00 at night with humidity), and didn't stick around for them to come on stage.

Well so there you have it, that's all we've been up to lately!!

The big main stage where the bands play
people and all the food booths

A fabulously flattering shot of me woofing down a yummy chicken sandwich.

Easter In Austin Texas

I can't beleive it's already Easter time! Terry and I both had Good Friday off of work. Since we had a 3 day weekend, we decided to drive the 4 hours south to Austin. It was a really fun weekend. It was a really pretty drive down there as all of the Bluebonnets along the freeway were in full bloom. It's interesting but Ladybird Johnson (Lyndon B Johnson's wife) did all of this work planting bluebonnetts and wildflowers along Texas's highways. It seemed what she loved doing while she lived here in Texas until she died. When the wildflowers and bluebonnets are in bloom it makes for such a pretty drive. So thank you Ladybird for that!

Well we stayed in a hotel right in downtown Austin. We could walk to everything so that made it nice, and we got some good exercise. The Texas state capitol building is right downtown Austin. We walked up to there and took a tour of the inside. Of course being Texas everything has to big and over the top, and the capitol building lives up to that. It is Huge and very pretty inside and out. It was interesting to see all the history of the building and of Texas. I found out that Texas has been part of 6 different countries in it's history: France, Spain, Mexico, Texas Republic, Confederate States, and the United States (hence the 6 flags over Texas.) That was actually pretty cool.

It also is interesting that just a few blocks away from the capitol building is the University of Texas (the Longhorns). The campus is smack in the middle of downtown Austin. We spent a little time walking around the campus. It's funny but you really wouldn't realize that you are in the middle of a city. It is a very green pretty campus with lots of huge old oak tree's as you would expect at a southern university. It definitely is a big school though. It's funny but football is king here in Texas, and the Football stadium is Massive (holds 90,000 or so people.) The people love their Longhorn football team here. I would definitely go to school there. Austin is a very pretty city, and has a far more laid back vibe than the glitz of Dallas. We just had a great time the whole weekend. We met some fun people at the clubs there and were so glad we went.

Me at the Texas state capitol building in Austin

The rotunda inside the capitolThe Senate chamber in the capitol

Me at the University of Texas Belltower

Some gorgeous old oak trees on campus

Some more of campus

Spring is here...Let The Home Improvement Projects Begin!!

Well I think spring is finally here in Dallas. The trees have all greened up. The tulips and azalea's are out in full bloom. Home Depot is crazy busy with people doing their yard improvement projects. Ahhh the fun times of spring! Actually I am so ready for it to be warm.

Terry I and I helped our friends this weekend with their spring yard project. They needed to redo a flagstone path that leads to their pool. They also decided to build a new flagstone patio as well. Of course Terry and I spent 3 months building a rock patio in Utah, so we didn't mind helping them build theirs. It only took a few hours of tilling to get rid of the grass (the crappy clay soil here in Dallas resisted the whole way). Then came the fun of digging out the soil, placing the rock in the desired pattern, leveling each rock on a dirt and gravel bed, and finally filling in the cracks with sand and gravel. 6 hours later, and 2 trips to Lowes....a new patio and path!! No major injuries, and all limbs are still attached. We were sore and tired and hot afterward. Todd and Bill were sweet enough to spring for Mexican Food that night, and we all had to take a dip in their hot tub to sooth the aching muscles. I think it turned out really nice for a bunch of amateur landscaping gay men!

Here is Todd and Terry and Ryan tilling and digging.

Me playing with a giant piece of flagstone

The finished patio

The finished path.

We also had a fun trip to the Dallas Arboretum spring blooms festival (thanks again to Jerry for the tickets!) It was gorgeous as usual, and really put you in the spring mood. So here is a few pictures, Happy Spring!!!

The flowering dogwoods were in full bloom

Here is a gorgeous display of Tulips